Karen Walsh ’81, MA’89 and Jim Berbee ’85, MS’87, MBA’89 grew up in the company of animals, and they surround themselves with many furry friends today — from their two dogs to dozens of foster cats and kittens. They are truly animal lovers, and they truly love what the UW School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) is doing to improve animal — and human — health.

You Can Be a Hero Too

To the critters that receive care at the SVM, and to the people who care for them, Karen Walsh and Jim Berbee are heroes.

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This is why they have committed $3 million to match gifts of $25,000 or more toward the school’s Animals Need Heroes Too building expansion campaign, which is critical to the future success of the school. The match gives Berbee and Walsh a chance to see others get excited about the breadth of work at the veterinary school and ultimately make their own decision to play a part in it.

“When you learn about advances the SVM has made in cancer treatment, orthopedics, surgery, and so many other areas, you understand why people flock to bring their animals there for expert care,” says Walsh. “And the school’s research leadership is astounding. The future of human medicine is so connected to animal medicine, and here at UW-Madison we have this amazing place where it’s all happening — for the benefit of everyone.”